Basket-making machine.



E. HORTON. BASKET MIA KING MACHINE.

N0; 635,725. Patented Oct. 24, I899.

' (Application flled. 'Aug. 8, 1898.)

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No; 635,725. Patented Oct. 24, I899. E. HORTON.

BASKET MAKING MACHINE.

(Application filed Aug. 8, 1898.)

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BASKET MAKING MACHINE.

(Application filed Aug. 8, 1898.)

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N0. 635,725.. Patented Oct 24, I899.

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BASKET MAKING MACHINE.

' (Application filed Aug. 8, 1898.) (No Model.) (5 Sheets-Sheet.8.

w vbwaoom No.635,725. Patented Oct. 24, I899. E. HORTON.

BASKET MAKING MACHINE.

(Application filed Aug. 8, 1898.) (No Model.) l5 Sheets-Sheet 9,

No. 635,725. Patented Oct. 24, I899.

, E. HORTON.

BASKET MAKING MACHINE.

(Application filed Aug. 8, 1898.)

(No Model.) l5 Sheets-Sheet H).

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BASKET MAKING MACHINE.

(Application filed Aug. 8, 1898.)

(No Model.) [5 SheetsSheet ll.

N0. 635,725 Patented Oct. 24, I899.

' E. HORTON. BASKET MAKING MACHINE.

(Application filed Aug. 8, 1898.)

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No. 635,725. Patented Oct. 24, I899.

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BASKET MAKING MACHINE...

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No. 35,725. Patented on. 24, 1399.

E. HORTON.

BASKET MAKING MACHINE.

(Application filed Aug. 8, 1898.)

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(No Model.)

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. EMMET HORTON, OF ELMIRA, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR To THE HORTON BAS- KET MACHINE COMPANY, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT. OF COLUMBIA.

BASKET-MAKING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 635,725, dated October 24, 1899-.

Application filed August 8, 1898. Serial No. 688,138. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EMMET HORTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Elmira, in the county of Chemung and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Basket-Making Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to the class of basketmaking machines shown inmy Patent No.

530,048, ofNovember'27, 189i. The machine of that patent is designed to automatically make baskets of veneer by assembling the blanks forthebottoms and sides and the bands for uniting the sides at the top and bottom of the basket. The parts of the basket are automatically secured togetherby staples automatically formed and driven as the operation of assembling the parts progresses.

The object of my present invention is to improve the construction and operation of machines of this class.

The first part of myinvention relates to the mechanism for supplying bottom pieces from asupply receptacle or magazine. In this connection my invention consistsin so constructing the bottom-Sn pply receptacle or magazine that it may be made adjustable in an improved way for different sizes of bottoms,and, further, in so supporting it that it will yield 0 and move out of the way when subjected to abnormal pressure. My invention consists also in this connection in so constructing the crane or mechanism for conveying the bottoms from the magazine to the form that it will more readily grasp the bottoms and more readily release them.

The next part of my invention relates to the mechanism for feeding the side pieces. In this connection my invention consists in providing a receptacle or magazine for the sides constructed and mounted in an improved way and from which the sides are taken by a picker of improved construction which delivers them in an improved way to grippers 5 that carry them to the form. In this connection my invention also consists in so operating the picker that it shall move quickly and positively when in the act of picking up a side piece, but more slowly when moving with a blank from the sides receptacle or magazine to the grippers, so that there is sure to be no liability of moving more than one side piece at a time and danger of dropping the side is avoided. In this connection my invention also consists in providing devices which so guide the sides that they may be more evenly bent around the form.

The next part of my invention relates to the band-feeding mechanism, and in this connection consists in providing improved devices for holding the bands, feeding them from the piles, and guiding and delivering theminto position to be attached to the basket.

The next part of my invention relates to the stapling mechanism, and in this connection consists in providing improved mechanism for feeding the wire, cutting it into proper lengths, bending it to form staples, and driving the staples into the basket.

My invention also comprehends improvements in the general construction and organization of the mechanism and in the details of construction which will be hereinafter described, whereby the efficiency of the machine is increased.

The accompanying drawings show a basket-machine embodying my present improvements.

Figure 1 shows an elevation of the righthand side of the machine, part of the main 8o cam and gear wheel being broken away. Fig. 1 is a detail view of the support for the outer ends of the bands. Fig. 2 shows an elevation of the left-hand side of the machine, part of the cam and gear wheel being brokenaway. Fig. 3 shows a top plan view with part of the cam and gear wheel removed. Fig. 3 is a detail View showing an inverted plan of part, of the mechanism for operating the crane. Fig. 4 shows a vertical transverse section on 0 the line 4 4 of Fig.3. Fig. 5 is a detail View of part of the devices for retaining or supporting the upper bands by the side of the form ready for nailing. Fig. 6 is a perspective detail view of part of the mechanism for 5 supporting and feeding thelower bands. Fig.

7 is a view of the picker and the gearing for operating it. This figure also shows certain details of the sides-reservoir and the device which delivers the sides from the picker to too grippers. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the nailing mechanism. Fig. 9 shows certain details of construction of the nailing mechanism. Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing the picker, the gripper, and some of the mechanism for operating them. Fig. 11 shows a transverse section through the gripper and some of the parts connected therewith. Figs. 12 and 13 are views illustrating the manner in which the side-holder operates to deliver the sides to the gripper. Figs. 14 and 15 are Views illustrating the manner in which the sides are applied to the bottom. Fig. 16 is a perspective view illustrating the manner in which the upper bands are fed down toward the form. Fig. 17 is a top view of part of the bandfeeding mechanism. Fig. 18 is a perspective view illustrating the gearing for operating the feeding mechanism for the upper bands. Fig. 10 is a perspective View of the bridge-plate for supporting and guiding the form. Fig. 20 is a plan View of the form. Fig. 21 is a perspective detail view showing one of the plates in the side of the form used for clenching the staples. Figs. 22 and 23 are detail views of the clenching-plates. Fig. 24 is a perspective view of a basket made by my improved machine. Fig. 25 is a detail plan View of the crane and part of its operating mechanism. Fig. 2G is a perspective View showing a modified form of mechanism for operating the crane, the basket-ejector, and the band-feeding mechanism. Fig. 27 is a front elevation of a modification of the band-feeding mechanism, showing also its relative position with reference to the form. Fig. 28 is a side elevation of the same. Figs. 27 and 28 show a modified form of weight for holding down the upper bands. Fig. 20 is a detail View of the gearing for operating the bandfeed screws. Figs. 30 and 31 are plan views of the feed-disks which cooperate with the feed-screws for delivering the upper bands to the chute which conveys them to the form. Fig. 32 is a detail plan View illustrating particularly the manner of operating the form. Figs. 33, 34, and 35 are similar views showing the form in several successive different positions. Fig. 36 shows a vertical section of the same. Fig. 37 is an elevation of the inner end of the nailing mechanism. Fig. 38 shows a section therethrough on the line 38 38 of Fig. 37. Fig. 39 is a view in longitudinal section of a portion of the nailing mechanism on theline 39 30 of Fig. 37. Fig. 4.0 isasimilar view with the parts in different positions. Fig. 4.1 is a detail view of the staple-forming head, the driver, and the bender. Fig. 42 is a detail end View of the nailinghead.

The main frame 1 may be of any suitable construction to properly support the mechanism. A main cam and gear wheel 1 is secured to a shaft A, mounted in hearings in the frame, and is driven in the direction in dicated by the arrow. A beltpulley 2 is mounted loosely on a shaft a, which carries a pinion a, meshing with a spur-wheel 3 on a shaft 3, which in turn carries a pinion a meshing with a peripheral series of teeth a on the wheel 1, one revolution of which produces a single completed basket. The pulley 2 is connected to revolvewith the shaft 0. by a clutch 4, which is actuated by either a handlever 5 or a foot-lever 6. The hand-lever is connected by means of a link 5 with an arm 5 projecting laterally from the upper end of a shaft 7, the lowerend of which is connected with the clutch. The foot-lever is pivoted at 6 to the frame, and it is connected to the shaft 7'near its lower end bya slotted link 9, engaging an arm 8, projecting from the shaft 7. By this means the machine may be started and stopped at the will of the operator.

The bottoms 10 for the basket are of the usual oblong form, and they are stored in a magazine 11, located on the left-hand side of the machine about midway between its opposite ends and above the horizontal plane of the form 3!). This magazine has two vertical trough-shaped end pieces 101, conforming to the shape of the ends of the bottoms. They are provided at their lower ends with laterally-projecting lugs 103, having square openings which fit a square rod 102, pivoted bya bolt 102 to a bracket 105", projecting from the main frame. An arm 105-is secured to the rod 102, and its outer or rear end is provided with an open curved slot 105, through which extends a bolt 105, that is secured to the bracket 105 By means of the bolt 105 the arm 105, and consequently the magazine 11", may be adjusted to any desired position. The arrangement also serves another purpose. While the bolt 105 holds the magazine steady for ordinary purposes, it will permit the arm 105 to swing inwardly in case the magazine is subjected to extraordinary pressure. For instance, if the crane which carries the bottoms from the magazine to the form should fail to operate properly and its jaws should be closed when it comes back to the magazine then the pressure on the magazine would be abnormal and the arm 102 would be swung back to a proper extent, so as to avoid any breakage. Afterward the attendant may adjust the magazine to its normal position, when the parts are again in proper working order. The end pieces 101 may be adjusted on the rod 102 by means of set-screws 103. The bottoms are supported from beneath by fingers 101, arranged between the side pieces 101, there being a clear space between the fingers and the lower ends of the side pieces, as shown in Fig. 2. The fingers are provided with eyes 10%", made adjustable on the rod 102 by set-screws. The crane 10, which conveys the bottoms from the magazine to the form 30, has an arm 10*, which is secured to the lower end of a short vertical shaft 10, the upper end of which is secured to an arm 21, connected at its opposite end to a pitman-rod 22, that is connected to a cross-head 17, secured to a bar 19. The

cross-head 17 is provided with adownwardlyprojecting portion 17, on which is mounted a collar 17", (see Fig. 3%) provided with laterallyprojecting lugs, between which the end of the rod 22' is jointed by means of a pin 23, which maybe readily removed when desired in order to disconnect the rod 22 from the cross-head 17, so that the machine maybe operated with out operating the crane or the crane operated independently of the other parts of the mechanism, this being desirable sometimes when adjusting the machine. The collar 17 is provided with a lug X, and the cross-head 17 has a lug Y projecting downwardly.- Normally the lugs X and Y are in contact, and as the cross-head reciprocates the crane is operated uniformly; butv should the crane meet with any obstruction sufficient to overcome the gripping tension given the collar 17 as, for instance, if the basket by any accident should not be ejected from the form and the crane carrying a bottom should strike against the basketthere would be an abnormal pressure and the collar would turn on the part 17, thus relieving the strain. After the obstruction is removed the collar may be turned back and again gripped on the projection 17 with the lugs X and Y together again, thus bringing the parts in their normal position. The gripping resistance of the collar may be adjusted to any desired extent. The rod 19 is mounted to reciprocate fore and aft inbearings 20. The cross-head 17 is connected by means of a rod 18 with a disk 16, secured to a shaft 14, mounted in bearings just inside the upper part of the wheel 1, directly over its axis. A pinion 13 on the shaft 14 gears with a segment of teeth 12 on the inside of the wheel 1. This mechanism causes the cross-head 17 and the rod 19 to be reciprocated in the proper manner. The pinion 13 is prevented from rotating, except when engaged by the teeth 12, by sliding on the blank surface 15 on the inside of the rim of the wheel 1. When the pinion engages with the teeth 12, it makes one complete revolution and effects the reciprocation of the cross-head 17 and rod 19, as before described. The arm 10 of the crane carries a frame 10 to which are pivoted two bell-crank levers 24, the upper ends of which are formed with jaws to fit the endsof the basket-bottoms and the lower ends are formed with intermeshing segments of teeth 25. The jaws are normally drawn toward each other by a coil-spring 29 and are opened against the force of this spring. One of the downwardly-extending arms' is prolonged in order to come in contact with an adjustable bolt 26, carried by a lug 27, projecting from a sleeve 28, carried by the stem 37 of thetable 32. The bolt 26 limits the movement of the jaws and also operates to open the jaws when they are closed and when the table 32 lifts the bottom up into place under the form. The jaws are also opened at the proper time by a hook 30. (Shown most clearly in Fig. 25.) This hook is pivoted at 30 to the main frame 1, near the pivot 1O It is'connected to the arm At its outer end of the arm 10 10 by a spiral spring 10.

it is provided with a tooth or shoulder 10 adapted to engage with one of the jaws, and it is also provided with a lug 10 which is adapted at times to strike against a stop 31, rigidly secured to the frame 1*. As the crane passes out from beneath the form toward the magazine 11 the hook 3O follows with the crane, its free end bearing against the side of one of the jaws 24, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 25, and by the time the crane comes under the bottoms in the magazine 11 the hook strikes against the stop 31. The continued movement of the crane draws the jaws away from the hook and the spring 29 closes the jaws against the lowermost bottom in the pile and centers it on the table 32.

It will be understood that after the jaws grasp a bottom the crane is swung inwardly toward the form, and when directly under the form it delivers the bottom thereto. The delivery of the bottom is effected by the table 32. As before described, the spindle 37 of this table carries a sleeve 28, and this sleeve is provided with a laterally-projecting lug 36, which is engaged by the front end of a lever 33, which is shown'in side elevation in Fig. 2. This lever is pivoted to the frame 1 at 33. The rear end of the lever is provided with a roller 34, which bears on a cam 35 on the cam and gear wheel 1. The cam is so shaped as to operate the lever at the proper time when the crane is beneath the form to lift the table, slightly spread the jaws 24 apart to release the bottom, then further lift the table, and cause the bottom carried by the crane to be forced into engagement with the pins 38 on the feet 32 of the form. The construction of the form will next be described.

An oblong frame-piece 39, corresponding in shape to the top of the basket, surrounds two downwardlyprojecting legs 41, which have their axes coincident with the axes of the semicircular ends of the form. These legs are joined to the frame 39 by radial bars 42. From the lower ends of the legs project arms 43,which are provided with down wardlyprojecting pins 38, adapted to enter the hasket-bottom 10, as shown in Fig. 4. These pins are threaded and passed through corre spondingly-threaded holes in the arms 43. They are also threaded at their upper ends and provided with lock-nuts 45. The pins may be adjusted vertically and locked in position by means of the lock-nuts 45. From the legs 41 project upwardly short stud-axles 46 and 46. These axles are secured rigidly to the legs, and the form revolves about the axes of these axles in the manner hereinafter described. Each axle has secured to its upper end a toothed segmental plate 50 or 51. The form is supported by plates 48 and 49, which have between them a slot or passageway 47. These plates are horizontal, the plate 48 having a semicircular outer periphery, while the plate 49 is merely an angular plate. These plates are joined together, as indicated in Fig. 19. The plate 49 is slotted.

at 47, as shown in Fig. 19, and is formed with the part 49", which bridges over the plate 48, which is secured thereto, but held a suitable distance therefrom, by a Tshaped block 48. There isa clear space between the top of the plate 48 and the under side of the bridge 49, and the slot 47 is open at 47 The segments 50 and 51 rest on the top of the plates 48 and 49, the axles 46 and 46 projecting through the slot 47, the remainder of the form being below the plates 48 and 49. The axles 46 and 46 are provided with rollers 46 which are of the same width as the slot 47, and they are also of the same thickness as the plates 48 and 49.

The manner in which the form is operated is indicated in Fig. 3 and is also more minutely illustrated in Figs. 32 to 36, inclusive. A rackbar 52 is provided with a series of teeth 52, and this bar is connected by means of a link 56 with a bell-crank lever 54, pivoted at 54 to the main frame and carrying a roller 55, which engages a cam-groove 53 in the wheel 1. The rack 52 engages the segments 50 and 51 successively to rotate the form. The rack-bar carries a pawl 58, which is pivoted to a stud projecting laterally from the bar, as indicated in Fig. 3 and also in Figs. 32 to 36. This pawl is adapted to engage the ends of the axles 46 and 46*, which project upwardly above the segments 50 and 51. Apawl 57is pivoted to a stud projecting from the main frame, as shown in Figs. 3 and 32 to 36, and is also adapted to engage the upwardly-projecting ends of the axles 46 and 46.

In Fig. 32 the form is shown in position to receive the first side piece, the nailing-line beingindicated at The rack-barnext moves backwardly, and as the pawl 58 engages the axleA-G the form will be drawn rearwardly to the position shown in Fig. 33. At this time the axle 46 is outside the circular edge of the plate 48 and the pawl 57 has dropped over the end of the axle 46. The pawl 57 is recessed at 57 to engage the axles, and this recess is curved, so that the axle may rotate within it. The rack-bar 52 is properly guided, so as to reciprocate horizontally, by a guide-casting 58, secured to the bridge-plate, and the pawl 58 is prevented from dropping too far downward by means of a stud 58, which projects across a flange 58 extending laterally from the rack-bar. By reference to Fig. 34 the utility of this device will be understood. If it were not for the stud 58 and the flange 58 the pawl 58 would drop and become inoperative.

The parts being in the position shown in Fig. 33, the rack-bar 52 will have reached the limit of its backward stroke. \Vhen it begins to move forwardly, its front end strikes against one of the ears 50 of the segment 50. As the shaft 46 is held against a longitudinal movement in the slot 47 the segment 50 will be rotated, thus causing the form to move in the arc of a circle around the plate 48, as indicated in Fig. 34, the pawl 58 then becoming idle. Fig. 35 indicates the position of the parts when the rack-bar has reached the limit of its outward stroke, and by this time the form has been completely reversed and the pawl 58 drops into engagement with the axle 46. \Vhen the rack-bar moves backwardly again, it draws the form rearwardly between the plates 48 and 49 until they reach the position indicated in Fig. 32, when the form is again reversed. \Vhile the form is being turned in this manner the sides and bands are fed, and they are nailed in the manner hereinafter described. It will be observed that the cam-groove 53 is of an irregular or wavy shape, the object being to give an intermittent movement to the form, so that it shall stop each time that a nail or staple is driven and then proceed.

In order to more effectually bend the ends of the staples and to take the wear, I provide a series of clenching-plates 206. These are preferably dovetailed into the sides of the frame 39*, as shown in Figs. 20 and 21. The plates are provided with curved grooves or recesses 207. In Fig. 21a single rowof grooves arranged side by side is shown, while in Fig. 23 two series of grooves, one above the other, are illustrated. The grooves are arranged vertically and are ooncaved for the purpose of clenching or bending the ends of the staples. Fig. 22 illustrates how the staples strike the grooves, and it will be seen that the construction is such as to effect the inward bending of the staples to clench them. Only one groove at a time is used to bend a staple in the construction illustrated in Figs. 21 and 22; but as the relation of the form to the stapling mechanism may vary I prefer to employ a series of grooves, so that if the staple misses one groove it will strike another. In Fig. 23 the arrangement of the grooves is somewhat different. One row of grooves is arranged above the other, and the effect would be to bend the ends of the staples outward. Not only do the clenching-plates bend the staples, but they prevent undue wear on the frame 39. The clenching-plates may be removed and replaced whenever desired.

The side pieces are stacked in a hopper 60. This consists of angle-plates 60 provided with flanges 60, through which extend bolts 60 securing them to the bottom plate 60. This bottom plate is attached to the top 60 of a bracket 60, which is attached, by means of a bolt 60, to a bracket 60, projecting from the main frame 1. A bolt 60, extending through a slot in the frame 1, permits of the bracket being adjusted vertically and securely clamped in any desired position. The bracket 6O is provided with laterally-projecting lugs, through which extend adjusting-bolts 60 which bear against the bottom plate 60 of the bracket 60 and by means of which the bottom plate 60 may be given the desired inclination.

As illustrated in Fig. 3, the bolts 60' extend through slots 6O"i11 the flanges 60", by which provided at its upper end with needles 75 'which are adj ustably held in a pair of pincers 75 mounted on a cross-head 75 (See Fig. 3.) Tightening-screws 76 may be employed for opening and closing the pincers and causing them to firmly grasp the needles. Setscrews 75 may be employed for locking the screws 76 to prevent them from shakingloose.

The sleeve 75 is provided with a laterally-- projecting arm 75 over which extends the end of a spring 75, as indicated in Fig. 2. This spring is coiled around the shaft 77, and one end is secured to a collar 76, attached to the rock-shaft. An arm 75 is secured to the rock-shaft on one side of the arm 75 When the rock-shaft moves in one direction-viz., in the direction to move the picker toward the sides-magazine-the picker-frame is moved through the medium of the spring 75 which tends to press the arm 7'5 against the arm 75. For a time the arms 75 and 75 move together; but after a time the picker enters the sides-magazine, and then the shaft 77 and arm 75 continue to turn without moving the picker-frame, the spring 75 being put under compression. WVhen the shaft 77 moves backward, the arm 75 comes against the arm 75 and thereafter the shaft and picker-frame move together. By this arrangement the upstroke of the picker is always positive, and it moves always to the same point, while the downstroke is variable, according to the number of sides in the magazine.

The manner of operating the picker will be more fully described presently.

The holder 61 is shown in Figs. 12 and 13, as well as in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 7. The lower portion of the holder is L-shaped, as shown in cross-section in Fig. 7, and the side piece 6 rests on the lateral projection of this L'- shaped piece. This portion of the holder is attached to another portion 61 which is pivoted at 61 to a bracket 1 of the frame 1, and this portion of the holder is provided with a segment of teeth 73, meshing with a corresponding segment on an arm 73, pivoted at 7 5 to the bracket 1. The arm 73 is rigidly attached to an arm 72, which is connected, by means of a rod 73, to a lever 69, pivoted at to the frame 1 and carrying at its lower end a lug7l, which is adapted to be engaged by the cams 65, 66, 67, and 68 on the cam-wheel 59. The side pieces 6 are held in the holder by a spring'actuated clamp 62. (Shown most clearly in Fig. 7.) Secured to the rock-shaft 77 is a disk 76, provided with atooth 78, with times to engage.

which a tooth on the pawl 79 is adapted at This pawl is connected at its upper end with an arm 79, projecting from a shaft 79, to which the clamping-arm 62 is also secured. The shaft 79 has a spring 79 attached to it, (see Fig. 3,) which is also secured to the main frame. The spring 79 tends to press the arm toward the holder 61. The shaft 77 revolves in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 7, and at the proper time the tooth 78 engages with the tooth on the pawl 79 and moves the clamp 62 from the position shown by full lines in Fig. 7 to that shown by dotted lines in the same figure. When in the position shown by dotted lines in Fig.7, the side 6 may be delivered to the holder; but after the side has been delivered and before the picker recedes the clamp 62 returns and holds the side piece in the holder. Abolt 78 is secured tothe disk 76,andthisbolt is adapted to strike against the pawl 79 and free it from the tooth 78 at the proper time. After that the curved edge of the disk rides along'the pawl, which is then free, and permits the clamp 62 to press on the side piece, as above described.

It will be observed by reference to Fig. 7 that the picker takes up a side piece on one side of the machine and delivers it to the holder 61 on the opposite side thereof. It is therefore necessary to give the-picker-arm a half-turn. For this purpose a segment of teeth 75 is secured to the picker-arm 75, and this engages with .a segment of teeth 75 formed on a curved plate 75, the arrangement being such that as the picker-frame moves around the axis of the shaft 77 the teeth on the segments 75 and 75' will engage and cause the picker-arm 75 to be given a half-turn. In order to prevent the picker-arm from moving when the segments are not in engagement, I provide a smooth double-faced collar 75 rigid with the pinion 75 on the picker-arm, which rides along a smooth face 75" on the curved plate 75. The plate is put away at 75, so that the picker-arm may revolve at the proper time. The collar 75 has a straight flat face on opposite sides to prevent rotation.

In order to effect the rapid operation of the picker,I arrange to give it a differential movement. hen the picker is moving downwardly toward the pile of sides, it may move quickly; but when receding with a side it should move more slowly. If the picker moves very rapidly just after having engaged a side piece, the tendency is to lift a number of side pieces, as the side pieces below the top one tend to adhere to the top side piece, which is grasped by the picker. If, however, the picker moves slowly at this time, this tendency to adhere is obviated. It is also undesirable to have the picker move very rapidly after having left the sides-magazine and while carrying a side to the holder 61, because if it moves very rapidly the pressure of air in front of the side piece tends to detach it from the picker. 

